5 New Content Types to Try in 2013

Break out the fireworks, shiny hats and confetti! It is time to say goodbye to 2012 and hello to the New Year and your 2013 resolution. As 2013 begins, consider how you can spice up your website or blog with new content ideas to inspire and excite your readers. Although most content found online is the written – or in this case the typed word, readers are more prone to share visually stimulating and interesting content that not only explains but also helps them to understand easily and quickly. Try the five content types below and become a resource for your site visitors this year.

Infographic

Infographics are exactly that: a visual presentation of information or data. The art of designing and creating infographics includes combining large amounts of statistical information with easy to understand visuals. This creative way of presenting data has continued to gain popularity and is frequently used by magazines, newspapers and blogs. Readers prefer them to lengthy paragraphs because infographics make it easy to gather and comprehend facts quickly.

Well-designed infographics are centered around one topic, visually interesting and present a whole picture. From an in depth look at diabetes to a breakdown of who uses Instagram, infographics are optimized for easy comprehension and retention. A strategically executed infographic is not only interesting and informative, but plays to the psychology behind visual cues like color, shape, and shiny things.

Video

With basic video editing technology coming standard on computers and most phones, videos offer an easy alternative to traditionally written content. Add video producer and director to your job description by filming and editing a video then posting it online directly from your iPhone.

Whether you are pulling at heartstrings or tickling a funny bone, make your viewers feel something to encourage sharing. According to Mashable.com, videos are shared twelve times more than links and text on social media sites. Making them a perfect option for blogs and websites to introduce written content, give examples, share tutorials or tell an entire story.

Problem Solvers

Many readers look to blogs and websites for information or to learn how to solve a problem. Consider what your readers are looking for and give them the answers – become a resource.

Try an instructional “How To” piece of content that explains each step in a process. Or write a FAQ post with answers to commonly asked questions from your readers. If you produce content for runners or athletes, consider publishing recipes for energy packed meals. Do you write a blog focused on the home? Try giving tips for better room organization or decoration. Think about the issues your readers may be having and help solve them. Keep in mind, successful problem solving content is easy to read and often bulleted or numbered.

Analysis

There aren’t many things in the world that can’t be analyzed. Consider recent news that can have an affect on your readers. Examine current issues or industry changes. Give the facts and your opinion. If possible, gather information from other professionals and showcase both sides of the debate. Are you a financial institution? Construct a post regarding the pros and cons of a simple IRA. Do you aspire to be THE place to find sports updates? Compare the offensive playbooks of Notre Dame and the University of Alabama for the BCS National Championship game. Basically, do more that just present the facts. Give your readers something to think about.

Prezi

Prezi is a zooming demonstration software that creates presentations that are a balance of minute details and the bigger picture. Each tells a story by magnifying small portions of a larger image. Prezi works to transform traditional presentations into unique conversations, making them an interesting addition to a website or blog. Each presentation works as a flowing, interactive storyboard that switches the viewer’s focus between a bird’s eye view and a magnifying glass. Specifically, Prezis are great for presentations, education, or to graphically explain a large amount of information.

Quick Tip

Don’t forget to share your content over your social media profiles and other sharing sites like Digg, Delicious and StumbleUpon. By further pushing out your content onto the Internet, your infographics, videos, and posts have a better chance at reaching more readers.

Whether you have been creating interesting content for years or are just starting your own blog, give your readers something new to read this year. By varying the types of content you provide, you keep your readers engaged, invested and coming back for more.

Author Bio: Erika Karas is a Junior Account Associate at Search Influence a digital marketing firm in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is the never-ending domino effect of communication and engagement that makes her love of marketing burn so bright. When she isn’t working in the wild word of SEO and Google search rankings, she can often be found at her oven trying a new recipe or exploring the world through her camera.

Join The Conversation

Hi Natascha, Prezi is a very impressive tool. I remember that when I was a speaker for a social media event, I was the only one who used Prezie (the rest used Microsoft Powerpoint), end up my presentation was the best.